Akashiyaki is a type of pottery produced in Akashi, Harima Province (Hyogo Prefecture). During the Genna period (1615-24), Toda Oribe-nosuke (1634, died in Kan’ei 12) made pottery in Akaura, Akashi, and received the name Akashi from Tanchai Ajari, a priest of Mount Ikoma in Yamato. In the Genna period (Genna era), a kiln for tea ceremony was built by Ogasawara Tadamasa, lord of Akashi Castle, and Akaura-an Oribe-nosuke Toda made pottery in this kiln until 1625, when he was transferred to Kokura, Buzen Province (Kokura Ward, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture), and later moved to Akashinaka Akashi Urayama, which is also the origin of Akashi ware. Among his relics, an old piece with a large “Akashi” seal (gyosho) appears to be the oldest piece, and there are tea utensils copied from Bizen, Mishima, and other styles. Koshimizu-style color painting, which is considered a characteristic of Akashi ware, seems to have originated somewhat later than the above, and several types of Akashi markings can be found.
During the Meiji period (1868-1912), pottery in the koshigi-style was produced and for a time was exported overseas, but this also declined during the Taisho period (1912-1926), and after that miscellaneous ware was produced and continued until recently. (“Akashiyaki Pottery Fire”)
